Clamp for a snare drum

Abstract

A snare clamp assembly is disclosed that provides for the selective precise rapid engagement and disengagement of the snares against the snare head and also provides for the precise rapid adjustment of the tension within each of a plurality of snare groups without affecting the tension in the remaining snare groups. The clamp includes a primary element, a secondary element that is adjustably coupled to the primary element, and one or more engaging, disengaging and adjusting mechanisms received through the secondary element and adjustably movable therein permitting the precise rapid engagement and disengagement of a snare group against the snare head and provides for the precise rapid adjustment of tension in each snare group against the snare head. Another group of snares can be received between the primary and secondary element and adjustably clamped therebetween.

I claim:  
     
       1. A clamp for engaging and disengaging one or more groups of snares against a snare head on a snare drum comprising: 
       a first member having a gripping surface thereon;  
       a second member having a gripping surface thereon and adjustably coupled to said first member, said second member cooperating with said first member to grippingly retain a first group of snares between said gripping surfaces on said first and second members; said second member also having at least one aperture therein, the longitudinal axis of said at least one aperture being substantially parallel to said gripping surface on said second member;  
       a threaded connector received within said at least one aperture in said second member and being operatively attached to a second group of snares;  
       means for threadably engaging said threaded connector, rotation of said threadably engaging means resulting in lateral movement of said threaded connector within said second member; and  
       means for preventing the rotation of said threaded connector relative to said second member.  
     
     
       2. The clamp as defined in claim  1  wherein said at least one aperture is positioned in said second member so that a portion of said aperture intersects said gripping surface on said second member and is substantially adjacent to said gripping surface on said first member when said second member and said first member are in an abutting relationship. 
     
     
       3. The clamp as defined in claim  2  wherein said threaded connector has a flat surface on a portion thereof, said flat surface being oriented so as to be substantially adjacent to said gripping surface on said first member when said second member and said first member are in an abutting relationship. 
     
     
       4. The clamp as defined in claim  3  wherein said flat surface on said threaded connector contacts said gripping surface on said first member preventing rotation of said threaded connector when said second member and said first member are in an abutting relationship. 
     
     
       5. The clamp as defined in claim  3  wherein said threaded connector has an aperture within one end thereof, the axis of said aperture being substantially parallel to the plane of said flat surface on said threaded connector. 
     
     
       6. The clamp as defined in claim  5  further including a connecting cable received within said aperture in said threaded connector and attached to said second group of snares. 
     
     
       7. The clamp as defined in claim  1  wherein rotation of said threadably engaging means in a first direction causes lateral movement of said threaded connector in a first direction within said second member resulting in the engagement of said second group of snares against said snare head of said snare drum. 
     
     
       8. The clamp as defined in claim  1  wherein rotation of said threadably engaging means in a second direction causes lateral movement of said threaded connector in a second direction within said second member resulting in the disengagement of said second group of snares from said snare head of said snare drum. 
     
     
       9. A clamp for engaging and disengaging one or more groups of snares against a snare head on a snare drum comprising a member having at least one first aperture therein for the receipt of first means for operatively attaching a first group of snares to said member, at least one second aperture located within said member and positioned adjacent said at least one first aperture for the receipt of second means for operatively attaching a second group of snares to said member, means for engaging and disengaging said first and second snare groups to said member, said engaging and disengaging means comprising a threaded connector received within said at least one second aperture in said member and including means for preventing the rotation of said threaded connector relative to said member, said threaded connector having a flat surface on a portion thereof and having an aperture in one end thereof, said flat surface cooperating with said at least one second aperture preventing rotation of said threaded connector relative to said member, said axis of said aperture in said one end of said threaded connector being substantially parallel to the plane of said flat surface on said threaded connector. 
     
     
       10. A clamp for engaging and disengaging one or more groups of snares attached to a snare drum comprising a first member, a second member, means for adjustably coupling said second member to said first member, actuation of said coupling means causing said second member to cooperate with said first member to grippingly engage a first group of snares positioned between said coupling means, and at least one means for attaching a second group of snares to said second member, said at least one attaching means being positioned outwardly of said coupling means and engaging a connecting cable operatively attached to said second group of snares. 
     
     
       11. A clamp for engaging and disengaging one or more groups of snares against a snare head on a snare drum comprising a member having at least one first aperture therein for the receipt of first means for operatively attaching a first group of snares to said member, at least one second aperture located within said member and positioned adjacent said at least one first aperture for the receipt of second means for operatively attaching a second group of snares to said member, and means for engaging and disengaging said first and second snare groups to said member, said engaging and disengaging means comprising a threaded connector received within said at least one second aperture in said member. 
     
     
       12. The clamp as defined in claim  9  including a connecting cable received within said aperture in said one end of said threaded connector and attached to at least one of said first and second snare group engaging and disengaging means.